Killer MacBook Pro and 4 the most interesting laptop ASUS

One of the leaders of the notebook market, as expected, showed at the exhibition a wide variety of mobile computers. Among the novelties there was a place like work “horses” — devices that will serve faithfully every day, and laptops, which can be described very simply: none of these technologies (yet) no. All of these devices I will tell you next.

Gaming models of ASUS — ROG Strix

SCAR II and Hero II

At the beginning of 2018 on our website an overview of the models ROG Strix GL503VD. Even before the release of a new generation of Coffee Lake ASUS has updated the ROG series Strix GL500, setting us well familiar components in a new building. Then ASUS introduced a version of the Hero Edition, focused on MOBA-players, and SCAR Edition is suitable for fans of first person shooters. All three models are fairly easy to distinguish from each other externally, each of them has its unique features. At Computex showed updated versions of the laptops of the series.

Externally, SCAR II and Hero II are very similar to each other. Last year on our website an overview of the models ROG ZEPHYRUS (GX501). Apparently, the designers and engineers at ASUS so much their child that they decided to use a similar design in the other ROG laptops. The lid is made of metal and all the other elements — from quality plastic. From ROG Strix GL503VD there is a noticeable frame around the edges of the screen. In SCAR II and Hero II they are much less — resulting in the same diagonal of 15.6’ device was already at 2.33, see

Generally, the screen is one of the advantages of like a SCAR-and Hero version. These laptops uses IPS-matrix with a refresh rate of 144 Hz and a response in 3 msec. In both cases, use anti-reflective coating.

Keyboard both models support the technology HyperStrike Pro, which includes a number of interesting features. So, the keys have the deepening of 0.25 mm and a stroke of depression of 1.8 mm. While the life cycle of each button can be up to 20 million keystrokes. The RGB backlight is divided into four zones, and the blocks QWER (Hero II) and WASD (SCAR II) additionally highlighted in white. There is technology support AURA Sync — for example, the backlight of the laptop can be synchronized with the illumination of the headset and/or mouse. Layout from the Hero II and II SCAR in comparison with laptops the first generation has not changed. Only in new laptops now uses a push-button touchpad.

A set of interfaces in the new models is fully consistent with what we saw in the ROG Strix GL503VD.

Testing showed that ROG Strix GL503VD a good job with the cooling Core i7-7700HQ and GeForce GTX 1050 Ti in games. However, the new laptops will receive a modification with 4-core processor Core i5-8300H and 6-core Core i7-8750H. Of course, these chips require better cooling. If you believe the slides of the company, the number teplorulon was increased from two to three. While Hero II and II SCAR got new fans with the increased number of blades. All this allowed to increase the speed of rotation of the impeller by 20% without significant increase in noise level. Therefore, cooling of the Core i7-8750H new equipment problems should arise. However, surely these models fall into our test lab — that’s when we all check it.

Please note that the version Hero II is equipped with discrete graphics up to the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB. Among the models of SCAR II can be found and variants from a mobile version of the GeForce GTX 1070. Both laptops can be installed up to 32 GB of RAM DDR4-2666. Also on sale you will find configuration mobile PC with different drives: SSHD with 1 TB NVMe SSD up to 512GB.

ZenBook’s

Series notebooks Hero II and SCAR II was shown at day zero of Computex 2018 — together with the rest of the ROG series products. Mobile PC series ZenBook showed a day later.

Version of the ZenBook’S (UX391) is, so to speak, typical ultrabook 2018. The model has a full metal body thickness of only 12.9 mm. display Size is a standard of 13.3’ and a weight of only 1 kg. One of the major chip device is considered to be a unique hinge design ErgoLift — when you open the lid (the maximum angle is 145 degrees) to create a small keyboard tilt of 5.5 degrees. So, according to the Taiwanese, more comfortable typing. Besides appearing the gap between the bottom of the laptop and allows the cooling system to work more efficiently.

Naturally, the ZenBook’s based on a graphics Refresh Kaby Lake. The sale will be modifications as the base model Core i5-8250U and the Core i7-8550U. The 3DNews laboratory has tested a large number of models with such CPUs, so it’s safe to say that the level of performance will largely depend on the efficient operation of the cooling system. For example, the model ASUS FX570UD Intel Core i7-8550U under high load conditions operates at a frequency of 2.1 GHz, and the model Acer Swift 5 same CPU in the same environment operates at a frequency of 1.1 GHz tangible difference in performance, agree. So in terms of performance is very much in the ZenBook’s will depend on the quality of cooling and conditions of use of the laptop.

According to the manufacturer, the ZenBook’s use of “innovative polymeric liquid-cooling”. What is a mystery, but I want to believe that with the task cooler “Sambuca” can handle it. Besides, the design is used WITH tangential fan type with 71 blade — it has 40% more blades than the fan laptops of the previous generation. The manufacturer gives the following figures: air flow new ZenBook’s increased by 13.4 %, and heat decreased by 5 degrees Celsius.

Other characteristics of the S-series is quite typical for this class of devices. There will be models with 8 and 16 GB RAM. As the permanent memory is only used SSD with a maximum capacity of 1 TB.

In the sale you’ll find models with screens Full HD and 4K. According to ASUS, the color gamut of UHD panels is 72% NTSC. Frame width is 5.9 mm, which, according to the manufacturer, “gives an amazing ratio right 85 %”. In my opinion, the frame ZenBook’s normal, but everything in this world is relative. There is, for example, the model of the Dell XPS 13, which it is called frameless.

Characteristics of the battery used in the ZenBook’s is unknown, but the manufacturer says to 13.5 hours of Autonomous operation. The technology of fast charging allows to charge the battery from 0% to 60% in just 50 minutes.

Among the interfaces there are three USB 3.1 Type-C (the two are compatible with the standard Intel Thunderbolt 3) and 3.5 mm Jack — fairly typical set of interfaces, if you compare the ZenBook’s with the HP Spectre 13 and the Dell XPS 13. To market the new ASUS will be released next week at a price of 1 200$. The device is available in the colors “deep blue” and “rose gold”.

ZenBook Pro

Of course, the main event of the notebook, perhaps only 2018 Computex was the presentation of the ZenBook Pro models: 14-inch UX480 and 15-inch UX580. ASUS novelties described as solutions for designers and artists. One of my colleagues quite aptly: laptops with “civilian” appearance, but with flagship hardware, and such devices in the population are in great demand.

ZenBook PRO UX480

14 – and 15-inch models are quite seriously different from each other. Version UX480, for example, also fitted with hooks ErgoLift. This laptop will get a graphics GeForce GTX 1050 in design Max-Q, and Quad-core processors Kaby Lake Refresh.

ZenBook PRO UX580

But the greatest interest, in my opinion, is a model UX580. And here’s why: the laptop uses Intel Core i9-8950HK is the most productive 6-core notebook chip to date. Let me remind you that it features an unlocked multiplier, and its frequency varies from 2.8 to 4.8 GHz depending on the load type. In this Core i9-8950HK has 12 MB cache in the third level. The same Core i7-8750H cache third level 3 MB less.

The use of Core i9-8950HK in this laptop (ZenBook Pro UX580 thickness is only 19 mm, and weight — 1.8 kg) is a challenge. The chip is very powerful and very hot. In the review of the MSI model GE73 Raider RGB 8RF we have seen that even the 6-core Core i7-8750H must be very cooling to the CPU when performing complex tasks, can work at least at a nominal frequency of 2.2 GHz. I want to believe that ASUS engineers have found a solution to cooling in a 19-mm case 45-watt processor, not just a “shove nevpihuemoe” for show “in our notebook is the coolest processor.” Sorry, details of WITH used in ZenBook Pro, no.

Most interesting is that together with the Core i9-8950HK used the mobile version of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, — reviews laptops with such graphics on our website abound. ASUS say that the chip GP107 needed for some tasks that are well optimized for the NVIDIA GPU. In fact on the ZenBook Pro UX580 you can play modern game with high graphics quality settings in Full HD resolution.

As for the other components, the 580-I model will have 16 GB of RAM standard DDR4-2400 and NVMe SSD up to 1 TB.

Unfortunately, there is no information about how much the notebook can run on internal battery. Still ZenBook Pro is a compact and lightweight model, so I want to hold up without recharging for as long as possible at least in the mode of surfing the web.

And in the ZenBook Pro UX580 used glossy IPS-matrix with 4K resolution and touch input. In UX480 ZenBook, which will be officially released later, uses a FHD monitor. Now, the screen is certified by PANTONE. It color gamut to 100 % of the AdobeRGB standard.

In fact, top-end processor and a great screen — these are the attributes attributed to “the killers” Apple MacBook Pro. However, the ZenBook Pro UX580 there is one very interesting detail.

I am sure that many of you have already caught my eye the second screen instead of the classic touchpad. This control body of the ZenBook PRO got the name SreenPad — Yes, a matrix Super IPS+ diagonal of 5.5’ with Full HD resolution. This screen allows you to significantly increase the functionality of the laptop.

Using ScreenPad, you can perform a variety of things: run the calculator, to control the media player to use as a standalone monitor. Those who work with content, an additional screen can really come in handy. For example, I would be comfortable working with the text, opening two files. Or on the ScreenPad, you can display the original picture, and on the main screen to perform all operations on processing in Photoshop.

Finally, to the laptop can connect smartphone. And then all notifications will be displayed on the ScreenPad. Of course, additional screen, you can disconnect and use as a regular touchpad.

ZenBook Pro UX580 will soon go on sale. The cost of the laptop with Core i9-8950HK on Board with serious — 2 300$.

Project Precog

And the presentation of ASUS showed a concept unique notebook Project Precog. Wow effect this decision creates no keyboard as such — instead, the device uses a second full screen.

If other news of the Taiwanese company could touch, several samples Precog Project were outside the fence, so this device can only be judged from the words of ASUS representatives. Thus, the prototype can operate in several modes: as a conventional notebook, as a tablet, as the awning and how the two monitor. The concept is equipped with different sensors, so the device independently recognises which mode it wants to use. For example, in laptop mode on the second screen immediately appears a virtual touchpad and keyboard.

In ASUS Precog Project is positioned as a device with artificial intelligence. In particular, laptop with chipset Intel Movidius and a variety of sensors tracks the position of the user’s hands. And the device supports voice assistants Cortana Windows and Amazon Alexa.

According to rumors, the Project Precog is brought to mind only in the next year.